Manila post office fire: Historic building destroyed in Philippine capital

More than 80 fire engines sent to tackle the blaze

A huge fire ripped through the historic Manila Central Post Office in the Philippine capital early on Monday.

The blaze at the 1940s landmark broke out late on Sunday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.

More than 80 fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, which took firefighters more than seven hours to bring under control.

As flames destroyed the neoclassical building overlooking the Pasig River, witnesses said thick, black smoke could be seen rising hundreds of metres into the sky.

“The whole building has burnt down from the basement all the way to the fifth floor,” postmaster general Luis Carlos told DZBB radio.

The cause of the blaze was being investigated, he said.

Fire brigades from across the capital deployed personnel. One volunteer firefighter suffered minor injuries.

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  Flames erupt from Manila Central Post Office building in the Philippine capital. Reuters

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  Firefighters tackle the blaze which broke out early on Monday. Eighty fire engines attended the fire. AFP

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  Fire crews continue to fight the flames after sunrise. The blaze took seven hours to bring under control. AFP

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  Firefighters work to put out the fire inside the building, which dated from the 1940s. Reuters

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  Smoke rose hundreds of metres into the air above Manila. Reuters

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  One firefighter suffered minor injuries. The cause of the blaze is being investigated, said officials. Reuters

Built in 1926, the post office was once considered the “grandest building” in Manila, according to its website.

It was rebuilt in 1946 after its destruction during the Second World War as US forces recaptured the capital from Japanese occupation forces.

The Philippine National Museum declared the building an “important cultural property” in 2018.

Letters, parcels and the postal agency's entire stamp collection were in the building and are likely destroyed, Mr Carlos said.